Savory picks for the free range reader

Back in the day, the end of July was still the middle of summer. No more! But summer’s still going strong at Bacon, with four more Summer Reading specials to finish out the series. Today’s post features Louis and Karlen Garrard.

Louis Garrard is, among other things, a surgeon, a professor at Vanderbilt Medical School, a hunter, and a reader. For a serious guy, he’s got a subversive sense of humor. He’s the person at a dinner party most likely to be quiet for a long stretch and then let it rip: a zinger that has the whole table laughing. His wife Karlen is the person at a dinner party mostly likely to keep the conversation going – brilliantly conversational in every setting. After dinner she’ll let it rip on the piano! She’s always game for your next great idea, whether it’s trying a new restaurant, learning how to play a new game, reading a provocative book, or maybe going to one more bar. Even though the kids are growing up, life never slows down…their oldest son Ford just graduated from the University of North Carolina, while younger son Paul is studying hard at Vanderbilt, and Frances is doing the same at Ensworth High School. Karlen and Louis love having them all under the same roof for at least a little while this summer.

Today, they answer a few questions and reveal what they’re reading now…

What’s your favorite thing about summer?

Louis: More family at home and extra daylight.

Karlen: Lightning bugs.

True or false: My dogs love summer.

Louis: True. Both dogs love to go to the lake house. They like to be in and on the water.

Karlen: False. They are so hot and itchy right now. Chester just got shaved and he is humiliated.

Coolest summer trip you’ve ever been on?

Louis: Iceland, the most recent one and by far the most interesting and the coolest both literally and figuratively.

Karlen: I also have to say Iceland. We just returned a couple of weeks ago, and I have never been so cold on a summer vacation. It was stunningly beautiful, though – especially the glaciers and waterfalls. And of course, the geothermal springs took the chill off!

Memorable summer job as a teen?

Louis: I had a brief summer job in high school rounding up and separating cattle for an auction. There was not any roping or banding, but I did feel like a cowboy for a few weeks.

Karlen: I worked at a concession stand at the Little League baseball field. Remember Fun Dip, Big League Chew, and Nik-L-Nip Wax Bottles? We sold those. And candy cigarettes, too. Those were the days.

Beach or lake?

Louis: Beach. I think it is an instinctive urge to return to the sea.

Karlen: Lake. I think it is an instinctive urge to drink beer and listen to Kenny Chesney.

Ice cream or sorbet? (Explain)

Louis: Ice cream, it goes better with cake, cookies, pie, etc. It also can work better alone as a meal.

Karlen: Sorbet. I’m not only gluten free, but dairy free as well. Kidding!

Sweet tea or Long Island Iced tea?

Louis: Long Island iced tea. I have not had one in a while, but they remind me of the specials they used to have at Spat’s.

Karlen: Long Island, without question! I don’t really get the whole sweet tea phenomenon, but I suppose it makes for a good country song.

Best amusement park ride or game? Or food.

Louis: Roller coaster and corn dogs. Frozen bananas at Disney.

Karlen: There will never be another Wabash Cannonball.

Where’s your theoretical tattoo?

Louis: I “Heart” Karlen across my chest – or my Social Security number so my body could I be identified after Karlen blew me up for getting a tattoo.

Karlen: Tramp stamp with unicorns.

Best summertime restaurant in Nashville?

Louis: Epice.

Karlen: Bombay Palace, any time of year. I adore Indian food.

What are you reading this summer?

Louis:Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari. A very humorous insight into how our younger generation communicates and finds relationships. Our son was reading it on vacation and laughing to himself so I thought it was worth a try.

Karlen: I just finished Euphoria by Lily King. Wow. A must read for fans of Heart of Darkness and love triangles.

What would you recommend to a friend as summer reading?

Louis: This summer I would recommend Destiny and Power by Jon Meacham. In our present political climate it is good to be reminded that our leaders should be committed to service and compromise over self-promotion.

Karlen: I picked up a copy of Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg at the airport bookstore a few weeks ago. It is a fantastic read, and especially impressive as a fiction debut (longlisted for both The National Book Award and Man Booker Prize for 2015.)